Disha Act: AP police create database of 1.4 lakh sexual offenders
By Newsmeter Network Published on 2 Feb 2021 12:30 PM GMT
Vijayawada In 2020, Andhra Pradesh saw a 7.5 per cent reduction in crimes against women when compared to 2019. The state police have created a database comprising around 1.4 lakh sexual offenders and registered charge-sheets against 1,531 cyberbullies and 823 sexual offenders so far. In 471 cases, charge-sheets were filed within seven days.
On 2 February, Chief Minister Y.S Jagan Mohan Reddy reviewed the various initiatives taken under the Disha Act. According to the officials, the Disha app has 12 lakh downloads and the cops have received over 1,14,319 SOS requests so far. They also said that 154 FIRs have been registered. The CM directed the officials to promote the app, especially in educational institutions.
Regarding courts for women and children, the officials said that 11 designated mahila courts for the trial of sexual offenses against women have started operating in 11 districts in the state while eight exclusive POCSO courts have been made operational in eight districts. Special public prosecutors have been appointed at the POCSO courts and 10 designated courts for sexual offenses against women. Also, eight additional POCSO courts and two additional designated courts for women are still pending in the High Court.
So far, 2,750 petitions have been received through the Whatsapp number created for reporting cyber crimes against women and of these, 374 FIRs have been registered, informed the officials. The police department has also set up state- and district-level cyber clubs to deal with cyber crimes against women.
Between 1 and 24 January this year, the Disha centres received 4,178 cases, the officials said. The police department also informed Jagan that over 700 women help desks have been set up and will be ready to launch by 8 March.
Jagan will inaugurate Disha PATROL and 900 GPS-fitted scooters in February. These vehicles will cover educational institutions, hostels, market places, and other areas. The police department is also setting up cyber safe kiosk machines in all educational institutions. The machine can detect malware/virus from mobile apps.
